“Of course she will,” squeaked Bella, nodding at Hailey. “She would love to!”
Hailey took a deep breath. “Yes, I’d love to. Thank you, Wise Wishing Owl!” she cried.
“You are welcome,” said the owl kindly.
“And you could start the parade off with your winter song, Hailey,” Hugo piped up.
“Ooh, yes!” squealed Sabrina and Maisie.
All the fairy animals came crowding around. “We’d love to hear your song, Hailey,” someone called out.
Hailey felt a tiny bit nervous, but she unfurled her wings and fluttered up above the other animals. Then she began to sing:
I love winter when the wild wind blows,
Scattering the leaves all around, all around,
Even though it chills my nose and toes,
When I roll on the frosty ground.
As Hailey finished, her friends clapped and cheered. Hailey felt like she might burst with happiness. Then, chattering excitedly, all the fairy animals fluttered into line, ready for the Christmas Parade to begin.
The Hedgerow Hedgehogs scuttled to line up behind the band. Behind them were the Bud Bunnies and the Cobweb Kittens. Then came the Holly Hamsters, the Moonbeam Moles, and the Stardust Squirrels. Behind the squirrels, the Bark Badgers marched into position. The Pollen Puppies were right at the back, yapping excitedly and running around in circles as they waited for everyone to begin moving.
“We’re all ready!” cried Hailey from high above. Light bounced off her beautiful garland and sparkled and danced all around Honeydew Meadow.
The Moss Mouse band began to play a marching song and Hailey felt her toes twitching in time to the music.
“I love winter!” she exclaimed as she headed to the front of the line. She was so happy that she did a forward roll, picking up a few fallen leaves on her prickles. “And I love Christmas even more!” she called as she uncurled again. She looked back happily at all her fairy animal friends, waiting eagerly behind her for the parade to start. “And this is the best Christmas ever!”
How many Fairy Animals books have you collected?
Chloe the Kitten
Paddy the Puppy
Mia the Mouse
Hailey the Hedgehog
Poppy the Pony
And there are more magical adventures coming very soon!
About the Author
Lily Small is the author of the Fairy Animals of Misty Wood series. You can sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Dedication
Map
Chapter One
Parade Day!
Chapter Two
Hungry Hugo!
Chapter Three
A Shimmer of Moonbeams
Chapter Four
A Starry Surprise
Chapter Five
Acorn Disaster!
Chapter Six
An Unexpected Guest
Chapter Seven
The Leader of the Parade
Other Books in the Fairy Animals of Misty Wood Series
Copyright
Text copyright © 2013 by Houthouse Fiction Ltd. Illustrations copyright © 2013 by Kirsteen Harris Jones.
Henry Holt and Company, LLC
Publishers since 1866
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All rights reserved.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.
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First American edition 2016
eBook edition September 2016
eISBN 9781627797368